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Olympic heroes who defied the odds

- Few Olympic champions have overcome such a handicap as Karoly Takacs, right, who, using his right hand, won the European pistol-shooting title in 1938. Shortly afterwards, the Hungarian soldier had his right hand blown off in a hand grenade accident. Takacs then began shooting with his left hand and, in 1948, qualified in the rapid fire pistol event for the Games. He was asked by Carlos Enrique Diaz Saenz Valiente, the Argentinian world champion, why he was in London. The Hungarian replied: 'I am here to learn.'

Valiente beat his own world record score with 571 points. But he only got the silver medal. On 580 points, taking the title, was Takacs. On the rostrum, Valiente remarked to the Hungarian: 'I think you have learnt enough.' However, he hadn't. Four years later Takacs retained his title, with Valiente in fourth place and the Hungarian was still able to place 8th